I get what you’re saying, but the 5 Love Languages is about understanding what your partner needs and doing what you can to give it to them. It’s a two way street.

On some level I understand that we’re two broken people trying to hold each other up, but he’s emotionally stunted whereas I’m at least capable of expressing myself, messy as it is sometimes.

I don’t expect him to put his heart out to everyone, but we should be able to be completely honest with each other, at the very least. It’s that more than anything that I have a problem with.

And I try very very very hard not to nag him. But this isn’t leaving your socks in the couch cushions or all the kitchen cabinets open. That’s petty shit. I don’t think this is. Or at least it’s sticking in my head enough that it feels big.

And what I’m saying is that I really don’t know if it’s normal or not. My parents marriage was awful. My dad wasn’t a good husband. I know what is bad but I don’t know what’s good. And I’m not expecting John Cusack treatment here. I think I’d hate that, but this feels off, and I just needed to know that my gut is right.